A Missouri father is accused of inflicting severe, multiple-stage injuries on his infant daughter by shaking her and swinging her upside down by her legs, claiming he did so to "toughen her up," according to police. Noah Humphus, 23, faces charges of child abuse with physical injury and child endangerment after his daughter was hospitalized with a broken femur, rib fractures, and bruising on her face and torso.
Background
The Jefferson City Police Department launched an investigation after the infant was taken to a local hospital. Medical professionals determined that the child’s injuries were consistent with abuse, noting that the trauma appeared to be in various stages of healing, suggesting a pattern of repeated harm rather than a single incident.
The abuse allegedly occurred at the family’s home in the 300 block of East Ashley Street in Jefferson City. The infant’s mother, identified as Witness 2 in the probable cause affidavit, told investigators that Humphus watched the baby while she was at work. She stated that she had observed Humphus shaking their daughter at least twice a day.
According to the affidavit, Witness 2 described Humphus’s justification for the behavior as articulated reasoning that this was how to "toughen" children. She noted that Humphus also claimed it was normal to be "rougher" with children. The mother’s account provided police with a timeline and a disturbing rationale for the physical trauma inflicted on the infant.
The Charges
Following the medical evaluation, Humphus was arrested and taken to the Cole County Jail, where he is being held without bond. He is charged with child abuse with physical injury and child endangerment under Missouri law.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Humphus admitted to shaking his baby on multiple occasions. He "did not dispute" that he shook the child when she was crying and he was frustrated. In a chilling demonstration recorded in the affidavit, Humphus used a doll to show investigators how he allegedly held the baby upside down and swung her by her legs.
Police stated that this specific action—swinging the infant upside down by her legs—is what likely caused the broken femur. Humphus estimated that he had abused the child between 10 and 20 times. The charges reflect the severity of the physical injuries sustained by the victim, which included fractures and bruising indicative of non-accidental trauma.
Key Takeaways
- Noah Humphus, 23, is charged with child abuse with physical injury and child endangerment.
- The infant victim suffered a broken femur, rib fractures, and bruising on her face and torso.
- Doctors noted injuries were in various stages of healing, indicating repeated abuse.
- The mother reported seeing Humphus shake the baby at least twice a day.
- Humphus allegedly justified the abuse as a method to "toughen" the child.
- Humphus demonstrated the abuse on a doll, showing how he swung the baby upside down by her legs.
- The suspect is being held without bond at Cole County Jail.
What's Next
Noah Humphus is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. As the investigation continues, prosecutors will likely rely on medical records, the mother’s testimony, and Humphus’s own admission to build the case for trial. The community in Jefferson City awaits further details as the legal process moves forward regarding the infant’s recovery and the father’s accountability.